in a convent for the remainder of her days. But he fell their victim;
three days afterwards, as my mother was, by his directions, about to be
removed, he was seized with convulsions and died. I need hardly say,
that he was carried off by poison; this, however, could not be
established till long afterwards. Before he died he seemed to be almost
supernaturally prepared for an event which never came into my thoughts.
He sent for another confessor, who drew up his confession in writing at
his own request, and afterwards inserted it in his will. My mother
remained in the house, and Father Ignatio had the insolence to return.
I ordered him away, and he resisted. He was turned out by the servants.
I had an interview with my mother, who defied me, and told me that I
should soon have a brother to share in the succession. I felt that, if
so, it would be the illegitimate progeny of her adultery, and told her
my opinion. She expressed her rage in the bitterest curses, and I left
her. Shortly afterwards she quitted the house and retired to another of
our country-seats, where she lived with Father Ignatio as before. About
four months afterwards, formal notice was sent to me of the birth of a
brother; but as, when my father's will was opened, he there had inserted
his confession, or the substance of it, in which he stated, that aware
of my mother's guilt, and supposing that consequences might ensue, he
solemnly declared before God that he had for years lived apart, I cared
little for this communication. I contented myself with replying that as
the child belonged to the church, it had better be dedicated to its
service.

"I had, however, soon reason to acknowledge the vengeance of my mother
and her paramour. One night I was attacked by bravos; and had I not
fortunately received assistance, I should have forfeited my life; as it
was, I received a severe wound.

"Against attempts of that kind I took every precaution in future, but
still every attempt was made to ruin my character, as well as to take my
life. A young sister disappeared from a convent in my neighbourhood,
and on the ground near the window from which she descended, was found a
hat, recognised to be mine. I was proceeded against, and
notwithstanding the strongest interest, it was with difficulty that the
affair was arranged, although I had incontestably proved an _alibi_.

"A young man of rank was found murdered, with a stiletto, known to be
mine, buried in